Mower attachment

Abstract

The mower attachment includes a wheeled platform having a platform upon which a conventional power lawn mower is adapted to be mounted with the wheels of the power mower spaced from the ground. An upstanding peripheral rim is provided on the platform to inhibit lateral movement of the mower when mounted on the platform. The center portion of the platform is provided with an opening adapted to be located below the rotatable blade of the mower and is in communication with a leading head portion having an intake opening whereby suction created by the rotating mower blade causes loose debris on the ground to be drawn through the intake opening to the opening in the bottom of the platform .

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus suitable for use with a mower, the mower comprising a housing, a motor driven blade assembly mounted to the housing so as to be disposed adjacent the ground or surface over which the mower travels when in use, the blade assembly being adapted for rotation relative to the housing about a generally upright axis with respect to the ground or surface, the apparatus comprising a main body which includes a side wall which includes a support surface or platform section for receiving a portion of the mower housing when in the mounted position and an upstanding peripheral rim arranged to inhibit lateral movement of the mower when in the mounted position, a cover section which when the attachment is in a mounted position, is arranged so that the cover section and the housing of the mower at least partially encase the blade assembly in a compartment and a head section which is secured to or integral with the cover section, the head section having an intake opening which in use is disposed adjacent and facing the ground or surface, with a transfer passage providing communication between said intake opening and said compartment, the apparatus further including ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said main body so that when the apparatus is in the mounted position the mower is carried on said main body and supported by said ground engaging wheels, said ground engaging wheels are mounted for rotation about a single axis thereby permitting the apparatus to pivot about said axis, the arrangement being such that rotation of the blade assembly causes loose debris on the ground to be drawn through the intake opening and into the compartment via the transfer passage. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including a ground engaging guide adjacent the head section of the main body for supporting the intake opening at a selected distance from the ground. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said guide comprises a roller mounted on an underside of said main body adjacent said intake opening. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein material collected in the compartment is caused to be passed into a catcher attached to the mower via a discharge outlet, providing communication between the compartment and the catcher. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cover section comprises a base wall having a peripheral side wall section which, in use, is engageable with a free edge of a skirt of the mower housing, thereby defining the compartment between the base wall and the housing, said base wall having a recessed section which in part forms the compartment, the recessed section being adapted to at least partially receive the blade assembly therein. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including fastening means for releasably securing the main body to the mower. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said releasable fastening means comprises a clamping tongue having a free end portion the other end portion being adapted to pivot, the free end portion being adapted to overlie a section of the mower housing so as to hold it captive between the tongue and main body, the fastening means further including tightening means for tightening the tongue into a clamping position. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said head section comprises an elongated member which is formed integral with the closure section, said elongated member including an elongated inlet opening on its underside, the longitudinal axis of the elongated member extending generally transversely with respect to the normal direction of travel of the mower.